Orthodox clergy and lay believers from several parishes took part in an annual pro-life march in Atlanta, in the U.S. state of Georgia, on March 12, 2026.

The event, which gathered participants from various Christian denominations, was held in the city center and aimed to promote the protection of human life and support women facing crisis pregnancies. The information was reported by the website of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia’s Eastern American Diocese.

Before the march began, clergy from a parish of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia — Priest Daniel Iliev and Deacon Mark King — served a prayer service near the square in front of the Georgia State Capitol. Participants carried icons, banners, and placards before processing in a prayerful walk around the state parliament building.

Orthodox believers from Serbian, Greek, and Antiochian parishes in the region also joined the gathering. The Orthodox group included several dozen participants who sang traditional church hymns as they marched.

One of the speakers at the rally was Ed Setzler, a senator in the Georgia State Senate and a parishioner of an Orthodox church. He told attendees that involvement in public life requires a willingness to step beyond one’s comfort zone and urged participants to continue defending the value of human life.

The Atlanta march is held annually and supports initiatives aimed at protecting life and assisting women experiencing difficult pregnancies. Organizers say the movement focuses not only on public debate about abortion but also on providing practical support for women and families.

Orthodox participants noted that taking part in such events also helps make the Orthodox Christian tradition more visible among other Christian communities in the United States. Similar marches take place in cities across the country, including one of the largest annual events in Washington, D.C..